At a Glance
- The Bay Area will host both the Super Bowl and World Cup in the same year
- Law-enforcement agencies expect a spike in human-trafficking cases during the events
- City and county prosecutors have formed a regional task force to combat exploitation
- Why it matters: Visitors and residents need to know how to spot and report trafficking during two of the world’s biggest sporting events
The Bay Area is preparing for an unprecedented year of international sports as it gets ready to welcome the Super Bowl and the World Cup. While the games promise tourism dollars and global attention, local leaders warn they also create perfect conditions for human trafficking.
Regional Leaders Unite Against Exploitation
Mayor Daniel Lurie told attendees at the annual San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking that large crowds, heavy travel and economic pressure can fuel exploitation.
“These events are going to bring energy, they’re going to bring opportunity, they’re gonna bring joy. But they also bring increased risk,” Lurie said.
District attorneys from San Francisco, Santa Clara County and Marin County stood alongside the mayor, pledging to share intelligence and resources across county lines. The group agreed to keep victim-support groups at the center of the response.
Victim Advocates Mobilize
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said her office is deploying an “army of victim’s advocates” who operate independently but coordinate with community organizations.
The advocates will:
- Meet victims at hospitals, shelters and court houses
- Offer legal help without requiring cooperation with police
- Connect survivors to housing, counseling and job-training programs
Adriana Flores, a counselor with Solara House and Restorative Pathways, stressed that victims often reach out through unexpected channels.
“Church or any spiritual denomination that you want to trust in the community. School, that’s another great resource. The police,” Flores listed.
Police Training and Immigration Protections
Every municipal agency inside the nine-county region has completed mandatory human-trafficking recognition training, according to News Of Losangeles‘s review of departmental records. Officers are taught to look for:
- Signs of physical restraint or malnutrition
- Inconsistent stories about travel plans or employment
- Third parties who answer questions for the individual
Departments also adopted a don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy for immigration status. Victims who are undocumented will not be reported to federal authorities, a move intended to encourage cooperation.
Public Awareness Campaign Rolls Out
City halls, airports, ride-share hubs and sports venues will receive new posters and digital screens carrying the national 24-hour hotline number. The campaign urges bystanders to call if they notice:
- A traveler who lacks access to their own passport or ID
- Someone paying for a hotel room in cash and refusing cleaning service
- A minor accompanied by an unrelated adult who speaks for them
Officials would not disclose the exact cost of the campaign, but said funding comes from a blend of event-hosting fees and federal grants.
History of Major Events and Trafficking
While Jonathan P. Miller reported that past Super Bowls in other cities have seen temporary increases in sex-trafficking arrests, academic studies differ on whether the spike is sustained or merely reflects intensified enforcement. Local leaders said they are operating under a better-safe-than-sorry principle.
Timeline of Bay Area Trafficking Enforcement
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | Human Trafficking Awareness Month proclamations issued in all nine Bay Area counties |
| February 2025 | Super Bowl expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Santa Clara and San Francisco |
| Summer 2025 | World Cup matches scheduled at Levi’s Stadium and other regional venues |
| Fall 2025 | Regional task force to publish after-action report on trafficking arrests and victim services |
Key Takeaways
- The Bay Area will confront two mega-events within months, prompting unprecedented coordination among prosecutors, police and nonprofits
- Victims can seek help through churches, schools or direct police contact without fear of deportation
- Residents and tourists are encouraged to save the hotline number and report suspicious activity immediately
- Officials promise a transparent review once the tournaments conclude
